Shillong: Questions regarding the quality of work and allegations of a scam surrounding the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Garo Hills have been refuted by Meghalaya PHE Minister, Marcuise Marak.
Marak, on Tuesday, asserted that the JJM implementation has been transparent and successful.
Providing details, Marak stated that the JJM implementation has reached 77.38% completion, with a total of 5,04,021 Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) established. He emphasized that calling JJM a scam is unfounded, highlighting the transparency in daily dashboard updates and payment methods.
“How can it be termed as a scam because implementation of JJM is very transparent it’s reflected in the dashboard every day and the method of payment is also very transparent,” mentioned Marak.
Marak elaborated on the payment process, explaining the involvement of a third-party engineering group appointed by the Government of Meghalaya. This group conducts site visits to verify project functionality before authorizing contractor payments, ensuring accountability.
While the Government of India has set a deadline for tap water connection in every household by March 31, 2024, Meghalaya may not meet the targeted deadline as it sought more time to achieve the target by August 2024.
In response to concerns about incomplete projects, Marak outlined measures taken to address contractor negligence, including project reallocation. He emphasized the importance of community cooperation in project initiation and urged prompt action against non-performing contractors.
The minister also cited that some delay is also caused due to the lack of cooperation of the community, it takes time to convince the society and only after that the project can start.
“I disagree that JJM is a scam the projects are completing successfully apart from few of it which has been noted and taken under retrofitting and will be rectified,” said Marak.
Responding to demands for an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities, Marak said specific project complaints needs to be made for investigation. “I’ll do the inquiry and ask the department to do the inquiry then we can go for the third inquiry. Where is the need let them come forward to me and let them tell me which is the particular project which is failing and which is a scam,” said Marak.
He also mentioned that the department received complaints about two projects, one of which borders Assam. Marak stated that Assam’s authorities intervened in this particular project. “I’ve instructed my commissioner secretary to get in touch with the Deputy Commissioner concerned, who will then take up the issues with the counterpart in Assam,” added Marak.
Regarding the second complaint, raised by a local MLA alleging that the contractor had abandoned the work, Marak stated, “I’ve asked the department to inquire and if found true we will give the contractor a notice and cancel the work”.
He assured that complaints received would be thoroughly examined and appropriate action taken.
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Regarding the Lokayukta probe into the alleged JJM scam, Marak stated that he doesn’t have the report of the inquiry. He mentioned that there was a delay in the probe because certain issues arose, preventing the contractor from carrying out the work as people didn’t allow it initially. However, Marak clarified that the issues were later resolved, and the work resumed.
He also assured that they have addressed the concerns raised during the assembly by several legislators regarding irregularities in the implementation of JJM. “I’ve directed the officers to look into the matter and will be reviewing all of those once the MCC is lifted,” the minister assured .
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